There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your feet wet purchasing a Bluesound Node. The streamer in it is perfectly adequate, if not better than that. It is its internal DAC that is rather just OK. Its operating software is among the best. You will find that there are members here with fine systems who enjoy their music using the Bluesound, again running it into external DACs.
Digital music questions
I'm somewhat new to hi res digital audio and I'm looking for some tips. I have been building my system and have purchased McIntosh c2700, which has a DAC built in, a 462 amp, and B&W 802d4s. Using Apple Music, I have been streaming music through a Macbook Pro via a USB cable to the DAC of the c2700 preamp.
The McIntosh preamp states the streaming quality is 44.1 kHz, which seem to be the low end of high-res streaming. I currently have so many subscriptions, including Sirius XM for the cars and Apple Music for my family, and more recently Nugs for concerts, (not to mention video subscriptions...seems it never ends), so I was hoping not to add another paid subscription.
That being said, am I leaving a lot on the table? Would a dedicated streamer sound a lot better than the Macbook Pro? Are there streamers without DACs, so I can use the McIntosh DAC without purchasing redundant equipment? I understand I cannot use Apple Music to get high res audio to the preamp, as they only provide it through Apple equipment at this time. Can I get a streamer that uses the DAC of the c2700 preamp? Finally, do I then need to add another subscription, such as Tidal or Qobuz, to get high res audio?
Thanks....it's a lot of questions, but I'm sure someone here can help!
Showing 4 responses by jetter
I consider your opinion and the opinions of most others on this website, whether or not I am in agreement with them, as being important. I agree with others that you should purchase and will enjoy having an entry level streamer such as a Bluesound, which I happen to own one and thoroughly enjoy, to dip your toes in the streamer waters. Although I don’t have their names on the tip of my tongue, there are members here with rather expensive systems who use and enjoy it. Unfortunately, emotional outbursts by one member here are getting to be the norm and do not represent the main of this website. |
@yage No problem at all. I would like to mention that I do assume there are differences in the quality of the presentation of different streamers. The only other streamer I have heard was in a very high dollar system. That streamer was part of the top of the line MSB streamer, preamp, DAC unit included in a $200K+ system (McIntosh dual mono MC451s, Sonus Faber Lilium speakers, the MSB combo). Simply divine, cannot recommend Fidelis Audio in Nashua, NH enough. As I think I mentioned, I have a Bluesound node 2i that I use with an external DAC. Although I could swing buying the above, I am happy with the Bluesound and my entire system. I like its overall sound signature. |